VFL: Kurt Mutimer signs with Casey Demons
After four years in Western Australia, Narre Warren product Kurt Mutimer has returned to his local roots and will play VFL in 2020.
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Four years ago Kurt Mutimer trained at the Casey Demons ahead of the AFL national draft.
The Demons liked what they saw of the Dandenong Stingrays product, but his time at Casey Fields was brief.
West Coast Eagles drafted the midfielder and he spent four years at the AFL club.
Now, at age 22, Mutimer is back at Casey, as a marquee recruit for the 2020 VFL season.
Sought by a number of clubs, the Narre Warren product signed with the Demons on Monday.
Mutimer played four AFL games and 59 in the WAFL.
This year he had 15 matches for the state league Eagles, averaging 18.4 disposals.
Casey coach Sam Radford said the club was chuffed to sign a “local kid’’.
“We’re really looking to recruit guys from our area, and Kurt came from Narre Warren before going to West Coast,’’ Radford said.
“As he said to us, he learned plenty from a lot of quality players, like (Andrew) Gaff, (Dom) Sheed, (Jeremy) McGovern and (Shannon) Hurn.
“He comes back to Melbourne really keen to play VFL and have a really good season. He wants to get back on an AFL list. He’ll play in the midfield for us.
“We’re really excited to recruit a player of Kurt’s calibre. Really good pick-up for us.’’
The Demons are also in contention to sign former Gold Coast Suns key defender Jack Leslie, who came out of Gippsland Power.
Port Melbourne and Box Hill Hawks are also keen on the 25-year-old, who played 28 AFL games.
“We’re hoping we get an answer from Jack in the next week or so,’’ Radford said.
“He’s working out football, work, family. We’d love to have him. We’ve got plenty of Gippsland boys on our list.
“His versatility would be terrific for any VFL club. He’s another fantastic, respectful and polite young man.’’
Radford also confirmed that left-footer Will Collis would be moving to Sydney to live and work and taking a break from football after suffering an ACL injury playing for Noble Park against Balwyn in the final round of the Eastern league this year.
Collis has told the club he will return in 2021.
Bizarrely, his Casey teammate Will Stephenson was playing for Balwyn in the same match and also sustained an ACL.
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Stephenson will complete his rehabilitation with Casey.
The Demons have farewelled 100-gamer Mitch Gent (Bonbeach) and ruckman Liam Buxton (SANFL).
Buxton won a premiership at Vermont in 2018 and established himself as the competition’s best big man.
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